San Diego Paralysis Injury Lawyer

Experiencing paralysis is a life-altering event that brings immense physical and emotional challenges. At Berman & Riedel, LLP, we understand the profound impact this has on you and your loved ones. Our dedicated team is here to support you through this difficult time. Let a San Diego paralysis injury lawyer take some of the stress off your shoulders.

Contact us today for a free consultation with a San Diego paralysis injury lawyer to explore your legal options.

How Berman & Riedel, LLP, Helps Paralysis Victims in San Diego CA

As California's leading firm in catastrophic injury cases, Berman & Riedel, LLP, has a proven track record of advocating for paralysis victims. We have successfully recovered more than $100 million for our clients. Our paralysis injury lawyers are committed to securing the compensation you deserve. Here's how we can assist you:

• Comprehensive case evaluation: Our San Diego paralysis injury lawyer will assess your case to determine the best legal strategy
• Expert negotiation: Our team negotiates with insurance companies to ensure a fair settlement
• Litigation support: If necessary, a paralysis injury lawyer is prepared to take your case to court to fight for your rights
• Expert collaboration: We work with a network of medical, economic, and vocational experts who can strengthen your claim
• Personalized attention: By limiting the number of cases we accept, we provide dedicated focus to each client

We have earned accolades such as California Top Rated Lawyer (2009 to 2024), the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, and a 10.0 AVVO rating. Our San Diego paralysis injury lawyers have the expertise and dedication to handle your case effectively.

What Is Paralysis?

Paralysis means the loss of the ability to control muscles in part of a person's body. It occurs when there is an interruption in the communication between the brain and muscles, often due to catastrophic injuries affecting the nervous system. This disruption impairs motor or sensory functions, leading to a loss of muscle function.

Paralysis Symptoms & Complications

The symptoms of paralysis vary depending on the type and severity of the injury, but loss of muscle function is the hallmark symptom. A person paralyzed may experience a range of debilitating effects, secondary conditions, and long-term consequences:

• Chronic pain: Persistent pain resulting from nerve damage.
• Increased risk of infection: Paralysis patients frequently experience urinary tract infections due to bladder control issues and respiratory infections caused by weakened respiratory muscles. Sepsis and pneumonia are common complications.
• Respiratory problems: Muscles that control breathing may be affected, making it difficult to breathe and cough. Pneumonia and other respiratory complications are the leading cause of death in people with paralysis.
• Dysphagia (trouble swallowing): Paralysis can affect the muscles necessary to swallow.
• Pressure sores or bedsores: It's common for people with limited mobility to develop bedsores, which can quickly become life-threatening.
• Blood clots: People living with paralysis have an increased risk of blood clots and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
• Autonomic dysreflexia. This serious condition occurs in people with a spinal cord injury above the T6 level. It happens when there is an overreaction of the autonomic nervous system due to a trigger like an infection or pain.
• Blood pressure changes: Paralysis can cause circulatory disorders, including excessively low blood pressure or high blood pressure.
• Psychological effects: Many victims struggle with depression, anxiety, and other devastating emotional and mental effects of their injury.
• Sexual dysfunction
• Incontinence and loss of bowel control

Types of Paralysis

Paralysis can manifest in various forms:

• Permanent Paralysis: Irreversible loss of muscle function
• Temporary Paralysis: Muscle function may return over time
• Partial Paralysis: Some muscle control remains
• Monoplegia: Paralysis affecting one limb, such as arm or leg paralysis
• Hemiplegia: Paralysis affecting one side of the body, such as the left arm and left leg
• Diplegia: Paralysis affecting the same region on both sides of the body, like both legs, both sides of the face, or both arms.
• Paraplegia: This form of paralysis of the lower part of the body affects both legs and usually causes paralysis from the waist down
• Quadriplegia (or tetraplegia): This form of full-body paralysis affects all four limbs; it usually causes paralysis from the neck down
• Spastic paralysis: Muscles are stiff and difficult to move
• Flaccid paralysis: Muscles are weak and difficult to contract

What Are the 4 Types of Paralysis?

Paralysis is categorized into four main types:

1. Complete Paralysis: Total loss of muscle function and sensation
2. Partial Paralysis: Some muscle control and sensation remain
3. Localized Paralysis: Affects a specific area, such as the face or hand
4. Spastic Paralysis: Involves muscle stiffness and involuntary spasms

What Is Partial Paralysis?

When someone is partially paralyzed, they retain some degree of muscle control and sensation in the affected area.

What Is the Difference Between Paraplegic and Quadriplegic?

Paraplegia and quadriplegia are both forms of paralysis.

Paraplegia affects the entire lower body, including both legs and pelvic organs. Injuries to the thoracic or lumbar spine usually cause paraplegia. At the T1 to T6 level, the chest and abdomen are affected. At the L3 to S5 level, the victim may retain some ability to walk with an assistive device.

Quadriplegia impacts all four limbs and the torso, often resulting from cervical spine injuries. The higher the injury, the more severe the effects. Injuries at the C1 to C2 level usually require life support. Victims with injuries at the C7 to C8 level may retain some control of their hands and arms.

Paraplegia symptoms affect the lower part of the body, while quadriplegia symptoms affect the body from the neck down and are more likely to be life-threatening.

Is Paralysis Permanent?

Paralysis can be either temporary or permanent, depending on the cause and severity of the injury. While some individuals may regain partial or full function over time, others may experience lifelong effects.

What Causes Paralysis?

The leading cause of paralysis is stroke, which affects 34% of people with paralysis. A stroke can be caused by internal factors or the result of a brain injury. Spinal cord injuries cause 27% of cases of paralysis, followed by multiple sclerosis (19%) and cerebral palsy (8%).

Paralysis is often the result of an underlying medical condition, but many paralyzing injuries are caused by avoidable accidents that cause damage to the nervous system, comprising the brain and spinal cord. Common paralysis causes include:

• Automobile accident: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and other motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of paralysis.
• Workplace accidents: Falls, machinery malfunctions, and other incidents at work can lead to nerve damage and injuries to the brain and spinal cord. Construction, warehouse, and transportation workers have the highest risk of severe injury on the job. It's estimated that one-quarter of brain injuries are work-related.
• Medical malpractice: Errors during medical care and surgical procedures may cause severe complications, including paralysis.
• Sports injuries: Contact sports and high-risk activities can result in spinal cord and brain damage.
• Violence: About 15% of spinal cord injuries and 8% of brain injuries are due to assault, shootings, and other forms of violence.

If you believe your paralysis is the result of someone else's wrongdoing or careless behavior, Berman & Riedel, LLP, is here to help you. Schedule a free case evaluation with a San Diego paralysis injury lawyer today. Our San Diego paralysis injury attorney will guide you through the legal process and help you pursue the compensation you need.

Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause severe and lasting paralysis, often resulting in permanent changes to a person’s mobility and independence. The cervical spine is the most vulnerable part of the spinal cord, and damage to this area can lead to quadriplegia injuries, which affect all four limbs. In contrast, injuries lower in the spine, such as in the sacral spine, may cause paralysis in the lower body but allow some upper body functions to remain intact.

Of the 18,000 spinal cord injuries that occur every year, nearly 60% are quadriplegia injuries.

In spinal cord injury cases, paralysis occurs when the spinal cord is damaged and can no longer send signals to certain areas of the body. This leads to paralyzed muscles, loss of sensation, and impaired bodily functions. A spinal cord injury lawyer can help victims pursue the compensation they need for medical care, rehabilitation, and long-term support.

Most spinal cord injury cases are caused by:

• Motor vehicle accidents (37.5%)
• Falls (31.7%)
• Violence (15.4%)
• Sports and recreation (8.0%) - Diving alone accounts for 4.7% of SCIs
• Medical and surgical complications (3.7%)
• Bicycle accidents (2.1%)
• ATV accidents (1.8%)
• Pedestrian accidents (1.3%)
• Accidents involving farm or construction equipment (0.9%)

If you have suffered an SCI in an accident, call Berman & Riedel, LLP, to schedule a free consultation with a San Diego paralysis injury lawyer.

Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is another major cause of paralysis. Damage to the brain, especially in areas that control movement, can lead to partial or full paralysis. A TBI can result from car accidents, falls, or acts of violence, and the severity of the injury determines the extent of paralysis.

Unlike spinal cord injuries, brain injuries are more likely to cause temporary paralysis. In some cases, rehabilitation and therapy can help brain injury paralysis victims regain some motor function.

The most common causes of traumatic brain injury are:

• Falls (47.9%)
• Struck by/against an object (17.1%)
• Motor vehicle accidents (13.2%)
• Assault (8.3%)

Schedule a free case review with a San Diego paralysis injury lawyer at Berman & Riedel, LLP, if you have suffered a paralyzing brain injury. We will help you explore your options.

Paralysis Injury Claim Compensation: Damages Available for a Paralysis Injury

Accident victims who suffer a paralyzing injury face substantial lifetime expenses. The average lifetime cost of paraplegia is $2.5 million for a 25-year-old and $1.7 million for a 50-year-old in medical care and living expenses alone. For a tetraplegia injury, the direct lifetime cost increases to $3.8 to $5.1 million for a 25-year-old. Indirect costs like lost earnings average $78,633 per year.

These costs do not even account for the devastating impact on the victim's quality of life and independence.

When paralysis results from an accident, injury victims may be entitled to significant financial compensation from the at-fault party. Filing a legal claim with a San Diego paralysis injury lawyer allows you to seek damages for financial costs like medical expenses, lost income, and long-term care needs. A personal injury claim can also provide compensation for physical pain and the emotional and psychological suffering caused by paralysis.

A San Diego paralysis injury lawyer can help you understand the damages you may recover and what your claim may be worth.

In a personal injury lawsuit, accident victims can pursue paralysis compensation to cover various expenses, including:

• Medical bills for emergency care, hospital stays, assistive devices, and ongoing medical treatment
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity due to the inability to work
• Occupational therapy, physical therapy, and rehabilitation to help regain independence and function
• Out-of-pocket costs like home modifications and in-home care for paralysis patients

You are also entitled to money for non-economic losses like emotional distress, physical pain, mental anguish, and lost quality of life.

A San Diego paralysis injury lawyer at Berman & Riedel, LLP, will carefully assess your case and document all the losses you have suffered. We work with medical professionals and other experts who can testify about a plaintiff's injury, how it happened, and the long-term effects to prove liability and damages. We are committed to fighting for adequate compensation to ensure you receive the care you need and the financial security you deserve.

Call our law firm today to speak with a San Diego paralysis injury lawyer about your case.

Workers' Compensation for Paralysis From Workplace Injuries

If paralysis is caused by a work-related accident, you may be eligible for workers' compensation benefits. Workers' comp benefits can help cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages without the need to prove fault.

Benefits through California workers' compensation for paralysis include:

• Medical care
• Temporary disability benefits if you are unable to work while recovering
• Permanent disability benefits if you have permanent impairment and cannot work
• Supplemental job displacement benefits to pay for occupational therapy and retraining

Permanent disabilities are assigned a “whole person impairment” (WPI) rating based on American Medical Association guidelines. This rating expresses the extent of impairment on your ability to perform activities of daily living.

Your WPI and the physician's report are used to determine your permanent disability rating or the degree of lost earning capacity. This is a percentage rating that is based on the type of impairment, age at the time of disability, and occupation.

Most permanently injured workers receive a partial disability rating, which determines how many weeks they receive disability benefits. Permanent total disability ratings are less common but granted when you suffer total paralysis. These benefits are paid for life. There are minimum and maximum benefits you can receive based on your earnings and disability rating.

A San Diego paralysis injury lawyer can help you pursue workers' comp benefits and challenge your disability rating if it does not correctly reflect the impairment you have suffered.

Workers' compensation in California has many advantages, but these benefits may not provide the maximum compensation available through a personal injury lawsuit. You may have a third-party claim if someone other than your employer contributed to your accident, such as the manufacturer of a defective product. Consulting with a San Diego paralysis injury lawyer can help victims explore all available options to seek compensation.

What Is the Average Compensation for Paralysis?

The value of a paralysis compensation claim varies widely. Minor cases of temporary paralysis may result in settlements in the tens of thousands of dollars, while cases of permanent, full-body paralysis can reach into the millions. Compensation depends on the severity of the injury, medical expenses, and long-term care needs. Consulting an experienced paralysis injury lawyer is the best way to estimate the value of a claim.

Factors That Affect the Value of Paralysis Claims

The amount of compensation a victim receives depends on several factors. Important factors in personal injury cases include:

• Severity of the paralysis (temporary vs. permanent, partial vs. full-body)
• Circumstances of the accident and who was at fault
• Insurance coverage available from the responsible party
• Comparative fault (whether the victim shares responsibility for the accident)
• Impact on daily life and ability to live independently
• Ability to return to work and earn an income
• Need for long-term medical care and ongoing treatments
• Strength of evidence proving negligence or liability

The best way to understand what you may recover is to consult with an experienced San Diego paralysis injury lawyer.

San Diego Paralysis Injury Lawyer FAQs

When Should I Seek Medical Treatment After a Paralysis Injury?

If you are suffering paralysis after an accident, seeking immediate care is critical. Prompt medical treatment protects your health and creates important documentation for your claim. A San Diego paralysis injury lawyer can use medical records, injury site evidence, and expert opinions to help pursue fair compensation.

How Can a Car Accident Lead to Paralysis?

A serious car accident can cause spinal cord trauma, traumatic brain injuries, or nerve damage that results in partial or permanent paralysis. A San Diego paralysis injury attorney can investigate the crash, preserve evidence from the injury site, and help victims suffering paralysis pursue claims against negligent parties.

What Happens During a Free Case Evaluation With a San Diego Paralysis Injury Lawyer?

During a free case evaluation, paralysis injury lawyers review how your injury happened, who may be responsible, and the damages you may recover. A San Diego paralysis injury lawyer will assess medical costs, lost wages, and long-term care needs while helping you understand your path toward fair compensation.

How Do Paralysis Injury Lawyers Pursue Maximum Compensation?

To seek maximum compensation, paralysis injury lawyers gather medical evidence, expert testimony, and documentation of long-term losses. A San Diego paralysis injury lawyer can calculate future care costs, reduced earning capacity, and emotional suffering to build a strong claim designed to recover the full value of your case.

What Are the Long Term Consequences of a Paralysis Injury?

The long term consequences of paralysis often include ongoing rehabilitation, home modifications, chronic pain, emotional trauma, and lost independence. Victims suffering paralysis may need lifelong support. An experienced legal team can fight for fair compensation that reflects both immediate expenses and the lasting impact of a catastrophic injury.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our San Diego Paralysis Injury Attorneys

Living with paralysis is life-changing, but you don’t have to face it alone. If you or a loved one has been paralyzed due to someone else's negligence, Berman & Riedel, LLP, can help. Our San Diego paralysis injury lawyers have a proven track record of securing compensation for accident victims.

Our law firm is committed to providing personalized, high-quality legal representation. We intentionally limit the number of cases we accept to ensure every client gets the attention they deserve. Contact Berman & Riedel, LLP, today by calling (858) 350-8855 for a free consultation with a paralysis injury lawyer to discuss your legal options and how we can help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve.